Amr Zaki gave the visitors the lead after a mistake from Daniel Agger, but Kuyt fired Liverpool level.
On the stroke of half-time Zaki scored a spectacular overhead-kick to restore Wigan's lead, before Antonio Valencia was sent off for two bookable offences.
The home side hit back through Albert Riera, before Kuyt's late winner.
The result is harsh on a Wigan side who, until Valencia's sending off, looked good value for at least a point.
Wigan played with great confidence and, with the inspirational Zaki up front, they regularly troubled the Liverpool defence.
Even without the injured Emile Heskey, missing with a back problem, Liverpool stru
ggled to cope with Wigan's movement, pace and greater desire.In contrast Liverpool, missing striker Fernando Torres, appeared disjointed and struggled to create meaningful attacks.
Olivier Kapo, playing in a front three alongside Zaki and Daniel de Ridder, was the first to test Pepe Reina as his low left-foot shot was turned away by the Liverpool goalkeeper.
Robbie Keane curled wide as Liverpool started to feel their way into the game, but a minute later Zaki gave his side the lead after a horrendous error by Agger.
The Danish defender received the ball from Reina on the edge of his own area, but he was far too casual in possession and the Egyptian str
iker was on hand to rob the ball before coolly slotting home.Agger made amends 10 minutes later as he drove forward from defence, exchanged passes with Andrea Dossena and cut the ball back for Kuyt to fire home.
Suddenly the confidence returned to Liverpool's play and Kuyt nearly grabbed a second as he unleashed a rasping shot from 20 yards that Chris Kirkland somehow managed to tip onto the crossbar.
But they were stung on the stroke of half-time as Zaki met Valencia's cross with a brilliant acrobatic effort that gave Reina no chance.
After the break Liverpool started to turn the screw and Lee Cattermole was on hand to clear Agger's header back across goal with Keane lurking at the far post.
Kuyt was then denied again by Kirkland from six yards as the home side struggled to break Wigan's resistance.
However, when Valencia was given his marching orders, the game swung in Liverpool's favour.
The Ecuador international was shown a yellow card for failing to retreat 10 yards as Gerrard lined up a free-kick and just a minute later he was on his way down the tunnel for a reckless tackle on Xabi Alonso.
Liverpool immediately looked to make their man advantage count and Alonso saw his shot from 25 yards deflected wide by Titus Bramble, before Riera drew them level with a right-footed shot from 20 yards.
It was the Spaniard's first goal in a Liverpool shirt, but Liverpool were not done yet.
They sensed victory as Wigan began to tire and Kuyt sealed the win with his fourth goal in three games.
He met Jermaine Pennant's pin-point cross with a flying volley that hit the ground before flying over the despairing dive of Kirkland.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:"I think that we were attacking, controlling and creating chances so we were in control of the second half.
"We didn't start well and they started really well.
"After conceding the goal the team was a little bit nervous but when we scored the first goal, we were again in the game and were controlling.
"We then concede the second goal when we were playing better."
Wigan manager Steve Bruce on Antonio Valencia's sending off:"Every decision that was contentious was given to Liverpool.
"Every little decision went their way. The first yellow card, he doesn't deserve a yellow card, the second one is arguable.
"That was the decisive moment in the match because up until then we were coping admirably and were arguably the best team."
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa (Benayoun 79), Carragher, Agger, Dossena (El Zhar 78), Pennant, Gerrard, Alonso, Riera, Keane (Hyypia 90), Kuyt.Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Leiva Lucas, Insua, Ngog.
Booked: Dossena.
Goals: Kuyt 37, Riera 80, Kuyt 85.
Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios (Koumas 90), Kapo (Brown 82), De Ridder (Kilbane 79), Zaki.Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Taylor, Boyce, Camara.
Sent Off: Valencia (75).
Booked: Valencia.
Goals: Zaki 29, 45.
Att: 43,868
Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).
Suddenly the confidence returned to Liverpool's play and Kuyt nearly grabbed a second as he unleashed a rasping shot from 20 yards that Chris Kirkland somehow managed to tip onto the crossbar.
But they were stung on the stroke of half-time as Zaki met Valencia's cross with a brilliant acrobatic effort that gave Reina no chance.
After the break Liverpool started to turn the screw and Lee Cattermole was on hand to clear Agger's header back across goal with Keane lurking at the far post.
Kuyt was then denied again by Kirkland from six yards as the home side struggled to break Wigan's resistance.
However, when Valencia was given his marching orders, the game swung in Liverpool's favour.
The Ecuador international was shown a yellow card for failing to retreat 10 yards as Gerrard lined up a free-kick and just a minute later he was on his way down the tunnel for a reckless tackle on Xabi Alonso.
Liverpool immediately looked to make their man advantage count and Alonso saw his shot from 25 yards deflected wide by Titus Bramble, before Riera drew them level with a right-footed shot from 20 yards.
It was the Spaniard's first goal in a Liverpool shirt, but Liverpool were not done yet.
They sensed victory as Wigan began to tire and Kuyt sealed the win with his fourth goal in three games.
He met Jermaine Pennant's pin-point cross with a flying volley that hit the ground before flying over the despairing dive of Kirkland.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:"I think that we were attacking, controlling and creating chances so we were in control of the second half.
"We didn't start well and they started really well.
"After conceding the goal the team was a little bit nervous but when we scored the first goal, we were again in the game and were controlling.
"We then concede the second goal when we were playing better."
Wigan manager Steve Bruce on Antonio Valencia's sending off:"Every decision that was contentious was given to Liverpool.
"Every little decision went their way. The first yellow card, he doesn't deserve a yellow card, the second one is arguable.
"That was the decisive moment in the match because up until then we were coping admirably and were arguably the best team."
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa (Benayoun 79), Carragher, Agger, Dossena (El Zhar 78), Pennant, Gerrard, Alonso, Riera, Keane (Hyypia 90), Kuyt.Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Leiva Lucas, Insua, Ngog.
Booked: Dossena.
Goals: Kuyt 37, Riera 80, Kuyt 85.
Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios (Koumas 90), Kapo (Brown 82), De Ridder (Kilbane 79), Zaki.Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Taylor, Boyce, Camara.
Sent Off: Valencia (75).
Booked: Valencia.
Goals: Zaki 29, 45.
Att: 43,868
Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).
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